The Eltron Company LP2042 manual

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Table of contents for the manual

  • Page 1

    User’s Manual No. 980008-001 Rev. B ©1995 Eltron In ternatio nal Inc. LP/LP+ Series User’s Manual Models: LP2022, LP2042 LP2122, LP2142[...]

  • Page 2

    [...]

  • Page 3

    FOREWORD This manual provide s installati on and operation info rmation for LP & LP+ Se ries printers manufact ured by Eltron Int ernationa l Incorporated, Sim i Valley, Califo rnia. The cont ents includes instal lation & opera tion inst ructions. TECHNICAL SUPPORT If for any reason you require product technical support, please contact the [...]

  • Page 4

    WARRANTY INFORMATION We Need To Hear From You! To establis h your warr anty period and provi de access to Tec hnical Suppo rt, Send Us Your Product Registrati on Card Today! Eltron warrants the mechanism, cont rol electronics and power supply, unde r normal use and service, to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of twelve [...]

  • Page 5

    Table Of Contents Getting Started Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Unpacking the Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Parts Check List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Operation Controls & Indicators . . . . .[...]

  • Page 6

    vi 980008 -002 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 7

    1 Getting Started This section provides information on the instal- lation of the printer and software. Introduction The LP Series and LP+ Series printers are low cos t dir ec t th erma l print er s spe cifi call y de- signed for printing labels, tags or continuous receipts (with or without bar codes) from any DOS™or Windows™ or ASCII based comp[...]

  • Page 8

    Unpacking the Printer The printer is shipped in a carton and protec- tive bag. Keep all packing material in case you need to move or re-ship the printer. Avoid touching the electrical connectors to prevent Electro-Static Discharge damage while setting up the printer. The discharge of electrostatic energy that accu- mulates on the surface of the hum[...]

  • Page 9

    Parts Check List Your printer kit should contain the items listed below. • The LP or LP+printer. • The printer Power Supply. • Create-A-Label Tools software disk & man- ual (LP+ only). • Printer User’s Guide (this manual). • 1 roll of Sample Labels and Spool. • 1 printer Cleaning Card. If any items are missing, contact your dealer[...]

  • Page 10

    Installation The following sections will step you through the installation of the printer and Create-A-Label Tools software. Step ➊ Attach Power Supply Place the printer in a suitable location that allows easy access to printed labels. The printer should never be operated while resting on it’s side or upside down. Place the power supply in a su[...]

  • Page 11

    Step ➋ Insert Memory Cartridge (LP+ Only) The memory /real-time clock cartridge pro- vid es permanent storage for downl oaded forms and time/date information. Cartridges are available in four upgradable memory con- figurations: 128KB, 256KB, 384KB & 512KB. Th e me mo ry cartr idge can b e da maged if plu gg ed in o r u nplug ged while th e pr[...]

  • Page 12

    Step ➌ Attach Interface Cable Parallel Interface Attach a suitable parallel printer cable from the computer to the Centronics interface connector on the rear of the printer. Serial Interface Attach a suitable serial printer cable from the computer to the DB-9 RS-232 Serial interface connector at the back of the printer. For addi - tional informat[...]

  • Page 13

    Step ➍ Install Software (LP+ Only) Start your computer. After DOS has loaded, insert the Creat-A-Label Tools diskette into your floppy disk drive. From the DOS prompt, enter B:INSTALL (or A:INSTALL if you placed the diskette in drive A). Press the Enter key. Follow th e installation instructions on t he screen to install the software. Refer to Se[...]

  • Page 14

    Getting Started 8 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 15

    2 Operation This section provides information on the op- eration of the LP and LP+ printers. Controls & Indicators The printer’s power switch is located on the rear of the unit near the power cord. Placing this switch in the “1" (ON) position will apply power to the printer. Place this switch in the ”0" (OFF) position to remove [...]

  • Page 16

    Power Switch Figure 2-1 Controls & Indicators Power Indicator Feed Control Tension Release Push Back To Release Label Taken Sensor Operation 10 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 17

    The FEED Control The FEED control can be used in two ways, tapping or holding . When power is first ap- plied to the printer, tapping the FEED control will cause the paper to advance approximately 0.25". This condition is refereed to as a Line Feed. After printing a label, tapping the FEED control will cause the paper to advance to the top of [...]

  • Page 18

    Loading Labels or Tags Your printer can print on adhesive backed labels or non-adhesive tags. Loading either type of material is easy, however the feed direction of the roll is different. If adhesive backed labels are used that do not lay flat on the liner paper, the exposed edges may stick to the label guides and rollers inside the printer, causin[...]

  • Page 19

    Step ➊ Open the top cover and remove the spindle from the printer. Place the spindle inside the roll of labels or tags. Cutting the corners off the end of the roll allows for easier insertion into the feed slot. If loading labels, place the roll in the top cover so that the end feeds from the top as shown in Figure 2-2. If loading tags, place the[...]

  • Page 20

    Step ➋ Adjust the guide tabs to their widest position by pushing one or both towards the sides of the printer. Step ➌ Insert the end of the roll into the feed slot between the guide tabs until resistance is felt (approximately 3"). Figure 2-4 Open Paper Guides Figure 2-5 Feed Slot Operation 14 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 21

    Step ➍ While continuing to gently push the labels into the feed slot, press the FEED control to ad- vance labels until the end is visible at the front of the printer. Step ➎ Press the tension release towards the rear of the printer and center the labels in the slot. Adjust the guide tabs so they just touch the edges of the liner. Figure 2-6 Pre[...]

  • Page 22

    Step ➏ Rewind the excess paper onto the roll while placing the spindle into the holder slots. Step ➐ Tap the FEED control 3 times or until the POWER indicator glows Green. If you were in the middle of printing labels, the printer will automatically resume printing. Figure 2-8 Place Roll In Slots Operation 16 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 23

    Threading The Label Dispenser If your printer is equipped with the optional label dispenser and you would like the printer to automatically peel adhesive labels from the backing liner, follow the steps below: Step ➊ Perform steps 1-7 of the Loading Labels pro- cedure. Step ➋ Advance the labels through the printer until at least two full labels [...]

  • Page 24

    Step ➍ Press the FEED control to feed the leader through the dispenser. Step ➎ Push the Label Release towards the rear of the printer and pull the excess liner through the front until it is tight across the peeler bar. Step ➏ Activate the Label Taken Sensor by pushing on the top and sliding towards the front of the printer (see Figure 2-1). T[...]

  • Page 25

    AutoSense Gap Sensor Adjustment Your printer is equipped with a sensor capable of detecting the gap between labels while they are being printed. This feature depends on the ability of the sensor to “see through” the label carrier between labels. Due to manufacturing differences in label stock, the sensor may have difficulty discriminating the d[...]

  • Page 26

    Cleaning The Print Head As you use your printer, the print head may become dirty resulting in poor print quality. Whenever n ew label s are l oa ded i nt o the printer, the print head should be cleaned with a Cleaning Card. Cleaning cards are available in two sizes, 2" (P/N 800100-001) for the LP2022 & LP2122 and 4" (P/N 800101-001) f[...]

  • Page 27

    Replacing the Printer Memory Backup Battery (LP+ Only) The Memory Cartridge provides storage of op- erating parameters, forms, graph ics and soft fonts. A battery in the cartridge prevents mem- ory loss if the printer power is switched off or disconnected. When the battery is exhausted, the printer will print “BATTERY LOW”. If this happens, fol[...]

  • Page 28

    Battery Replacement Step ➌ Remove the Memory Cartridge’s top cover screw with a #1 Phillips screwdriver. Slide the casing top cover off. Step ➍ Lift the battery retaining clip up and slide the old battery out. Replace the battery by lifting the battery retaining clip up and inserting the new battery in with the printed side up. INSTALL BATTER[...]

  • Page 29

    Do Not dispose of the old battery in fire. The battery may explode causing damage or injury. Dispose of the battery according to the manu- facturer’s instructions. Step ➎ Re-install the cartridge cover and insert the retaining screw. Step ➏ Re-insert the Memory Cartridge into the printer and turn the printer power on. WARNING Operation 980008[...]

  • Page 30

    Operation 24 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 31

    Appendix A Troubleshooting This section addresses the most common issues user’s may face with operation and configura- tion of your printer. The first trouble shooting reference source is the Common Problems Trouble Shooting table on the following page. Eltron International also provides a variety of information and user support services: • Fax[...]

  • Page 32

    Commo n Printing Problems Toruble Shoo ting Guide Problem Solution or Reason POWER indicator does not light Green when po wer s witc h is turned to “1 " (ON) position 1. Check power connections from power supply to printer and A.C. outlet. POWER indicator lights Green, but printer wil l not print. 1. Check interface cable connectio ns from c[...]

  • Page 33

    Serial Interface Cable Wiring The figure below displays the cable wiring re- quired to use the printer’s serial interface. N/C RxD TxD DTR GND DSR RTS RI CTS Printer Host 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 DB -9 Pin # DB -9 Pin # Female DB-9 to Male DB -9 Cable P/N 300017-006 (6') or 300017-010 (10') N/C RxD TxD DTR GND DSR RTS RI CTS [...]

  • Page 34

    Removing Stuck Labels Under certain conditions, labels can become stuck inside the printer on the print head or the mechanism. This u sually occ ur s when the edges of a label pull away from the label liner. The adhesive comes in contact with the print head or the mechanism and the label peels off the liner. The easiest way to prevent this type of [...]

  • Page 35

    Step ➊ Remove Top Cover Move the power switch to the OFF (0) position and disconnect the power and interface cables. Place the printer upside down and remove the four rubber feet by pulling them out of the mounting holes. Using a #1 Phillips screw- driver, remove the four screws that secure the top cover. Carefully turn the printer right side up [...]

  • Page 36

    Step ➋ Remove The Print Head The most common location of stuck labels is at the print head. Check this area first before checking the remainder of the print mecha- nism. The discharge of electrostatic energy that accu- mulates on the surface of the human body or other surfaces can damag e or destroy the print head or electronic components used in[...]

  • Page 37

    While lifting the lower head bracket, remove the tension release rod. Without disconnecting and cables, lift and rotate the print head so that the surface can be inspected. Do not unplug the print head. The cable pro- vides ground for E.S.D. protection. Carefully clean the print head surface with 91% Isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth or cotton tip[...]

  • Page 38

    Step ➌ Install The Print Head To install the print head, first position it back over the platen. Lift the front slightly and insert the tension release rod under the metal tabs at the front edge. Lower the head down so that the ends of the rod drop into the slots on the sides of the carriage. Next, install the head tension spring aligning it with[...]

  • Page 39

    Step ➍ Remove Mechanism Labels can become stuck to several parts in side the print mechanism. To clear labels stuck in- side the mechanism, it must be removed from the printer base. Rem ove t he th ree screws that secure the mechanism to the base and the screw that secures the ground wire. Carefully lift up the mechanism and disconnect the four c[...]

  • Page 40

    Step ➎ Remove Sensor Assembly Locate the push tabs on the rear of the mecha- nism. While pushing in on both tabs, pull the lower sensor assemb ly away from the mecha- nism. This provides easy access to the inside of the print mechanism. If the clear mylar label guide is damaged, it should be replaced. Spare parts can be ordered by contacting Eltr[...]

  • Page 41

    Step ➏ Install Print Mechanism Replace the lower sensor assembly by sliding back into the mechanism until it locks in place. Reconnect the four connectors to the main board. Position the print mechanism on the printer base and install the three screws re- moved earlier. Install the ground wire retaining screw. Replace the top cover and secure wit[...]

  • Page 42

    Trouble shooting 36 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 43

    Appendix B Supplies and Accessories Supplies and Accessories can be ordered from ELTRON by calling: 1(800) 344-4003. Eltron gladly accepts Mastercard and Visa. For easier ordering, use the supplies order form included with your printer. For an up-to-date supplies & spare parts list, call Eltron’s FaxBack service at 1(805) 579-1809 , and order[...]

  • Page 44

    Accessor ies 38 980008 -001 Rev. B[...]

  • Page 45

    Appendix C Windows Printer Driver To install the Windows printer driver, use the following steps. Start your computer and then start Windows. Insert the Windows Driver disk- ette into your floppy disk drive. Double-click the Control Panel icon in the Main program group. Select the Printers icon, the Printers dialog box is displayed. Select the Add [...]

  • Page 46

    Using The Windows Driver The Windows printer driver provides control of several printer features when printing from Create-A-Label Professional for Windows and other Windows software applications. These features are accessed through the “Printers” control panel in the Program Manager “Main” group. Paper (Label) Si ze Before creating a label[...]

  • Page 47

    Paper Quality, Print Speed The print speed can be adjusted to compensate for manufacturing differences in label stock. Selecting a slower print speed can improve the appearance of lines and text on some label stocks. When printing large labels or labels with a lot of information near the right edge, a slow er pri nt spee d will avoid pauses while p[...]

  • Page 48

    41 Mo r e l a n d R d . Si m i V a l l e y , C A 93065-1692 ( 805) 579-1800[...]